We are looking for a proactive and commercially-minded Category Buyer to manage and optimize our food and non-food product assortment. This role is key to ensuring competitive pricing, high product quality, and supplier reliability. The successful candidate will have proven experience in food procurement—ideally across fresh or frozen categories—and will play a strategic role in driving category growth. Experience with private label food products is a strong advantage, as we continue to expand our own-brand offering.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement sourcing and category strategies for food and non-food products that align with business objectives and consumer demand.
- Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to ensure consistent supply, quality, and compliance with food safety standards.
- Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms to achieve cost efficiencies and maximize margins.
- Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activity to drive strategic decision-making.
- Work closely with warehouse team to ensure food products meet internal standards and legal requirements.
- Monitor and manage category KPIs including sales, profit margins, availability, and stock turns.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of food products—from sourcing and onboarding to delisting.
- Lead or support the development of private label food ranges, including sourcing, packaging design, labeling compliance, and supplier coordination.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety and labeling regulations (e.g., HACCP, FDA).
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in buying or category management within the food industry (retail, wholesale).
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of food pricing, margins, and customer preferences.
- Skilled in supplier negotiation and contract management.
- Familiarity with food safety standards and regulations.
- Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Nice-to-haves:
- Hands-on experience in private label food development, including sourcing, specification management, and branding.
- Understanding of international food sourcing and supply chain logistics.
- Knowledge of sustainability trends and ethical sourcing in the food sector